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Liverpool’s depth of attacking talent ready to fire against West Ham

| 12.08.2018
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Look ahead to the Premier League fixture

Liverpool get their 2018-19 campaign underway live on Sky Sports Main Event at 1:30pm with a tasty looking tie against Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United at Anfield.

The Reds lit up the Premier League last season with their brand of high-pressing, high intensity attacking football. They finished up as the top-flight’s second top-scorers with 84 goals, and were generally considered one of Europe’s most exciting teams to watch.

Jurgen Klopp will be keen to marry that offensive potency with a trophy in his third year in charge on Merseyside. They’re 7/2 to win the Premier League. But even if silverware isn’t forthcoming this season, the Anfield club will still be one of the most exciting sides to watch. The Coral News Team have taken a look at why ahead of their opening match against the Hammers.

Super Salah on target again

Mohamed Salah was the jewel in the crown for Liverpool last season. The Egyptian star bagged 32 goals in 36 league games during his maiden campaign in the Premier League. That earned him the Golden Boot, an accolade which he is 5/1 to retain.

However, his appeal isn’t just in the number of goals he scores. It’s the way he scores them. Salah has a Lionel Messi-like quality whereby a defender knows what he’s going to do but is powerless to stop it. Only the best players have that ability. It translates into both player and club being irresistible to watch going forward. He’ll be eager to pick up where he left off with the Reds after a disappointing World Cup with Egypt.

And he gets to do so against one of his favourite opponents. Although Salah had a particular fondness for scoring against most teams last season, he appeared to relish taking on the Hammers – bagging three goals in two matches against them.  He’s 8/13 to Score Anytime, 9/4 to Score First and 11/2 to bag a hat-trick.

More depth provides a better chance

There aren’t many better sights in football than an effective pressing game. And Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are the masters. Squeezing the opponent further up the field causes mistakes, whips up supporters and ultimately creates chances.

When it works, it works well. But at times last season the Reds lacked the personnel to effectively implement the system. With the additions of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri that shouldn’t be a problem. Not only do the trio provide crucial strength-in-depth, they also stand up as genuine top-level players who will provide Klopp with options off the bench or in a rotational system.

All three have impressed in pre-season. And alongside the already pitch perfect talents of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino et al, the Reds have a truly offensive squad which can do even more damage this time around.

Up and running with a win?       

It all begins for the Reds at home to West Ham on Sunday. The Hammers’ new defensive unit of Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop, Winston Reid and Aaron Cresswell will have to be at their best to stunt the hosts’ forward line. Otherwise it could be carnage.

Liverpool are 1/4 to open up with a win against 11/1 for West Ham. It’s 5/1 about the draw. If the visitors are to collect a shock three points they’ll have to improve on a dreadful recent record at Anfield. They’ve only won once at the Merseyside ground since 1963.

Check out more Liverpool v West Ham odds here.

Big match previews, betting tips and transfer news – Coral has it all.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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Author

Nick Murphy